1. University of Washington Medical Center
Thriving through Research and EBP: Engaging and EmPOWERing Nurses _______
Cindy Sayre, PhD, RN
University of Washington Medical Center

2. A Few Words About Me

3. Nursing in 2011 Insurance Documentation Complex Burden Technologies
Regulatory
Compliance
Increasing
Acuity
More
With Less

4. To Thrive in 2018

5. A Few Words About Power Power Ability to act or produce an effect
Possession of control, authority, or influence over others
The ability to do; having access to whatever is needed for the doing
Loma Linda
Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2018
Brown & Kanter, 1982.

6. A Few Words About Power Empowerment
authority or power given to someone
to do something
the process of becoming stronger and
more confident, especially in controlling
one’s life and claiming one’s rights
Loma Linda
Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 7 Jan. 2018
Brown & Kanter, 1982.

7. Powerlessness Powerlessness-”a nursing diagnosis accepted by the
North American Nursing Diagnosis Association,
defined as the perception that one's own action
will not significantly affect an outcome; a perceived lack
of control over a current situation or immediate happening”.

8. A Few Words About Power Powerlessness may breed bossiness
breeds apathy and burnout
loss of productive capacity as
commitment and involvement are
curtailed
Brown & Kanter, 1982.

9. Power

10. Formal vs Informal

11. Personal Empowerment

12. Personal Empowerment Define your Goal: Make It Meaningful Take Action
Assess Your Impact
Repeat Your Efforts
“Attain personal empowerment by demonstrating influence”
Winch, 2014

13. Structural Empowerment
“Employees who are empowered are more committed to the organization, more accountable for their work, and better able to fulfill job demands in an effective manner.” Degner, 2005
“Empowerment is thought to occur when an organization sincerely engages people and progressively responds to this engagement with mutual interest and intention to promote growth.” Erickson, 2003

14. Structural Empowerment
Organizations provide access to:
Information
Resources
Support
Opportunities to Learn and Develop

15. Empowerment Empowered Through Research and EBP
Nurses ‘In the Know”-Use data to generate ideas for projects
Provide resources and support for projects (content experts;
rooms; paid time)
Support-Assist teams to overcome organizational barriers
Opportunities to learn and develop-embrace the missteps.
Role model and support a “fail faster” culture

16. Empowerment Empowered Through Research and EBP
Create an environment that promotes:
Autonomy and discretion (“flexible, creative, adaptive
contributions”)
Recognition “visability and notice”
Relevance “being central to pressing organizational
problems”
Close contact with project sponsors
Brown & Kanter, 1982

17. Empowerment Megan- Co-lead of Staffing Committee wants to improve
“break culture”. Supported by Assistant Administrator and
Clinical Nurse Researcher to design a survey. Supported
by Nursing Leadership to establish “Break Week”
“I think empowered is exactly the right word for how I’ve felt over
the past 3 years of our work.”
When we first dared to take on a cultural issue like breaks our first thought was that we would be fighting against administration to get anything done. However, in addition to find a great partner in our work, I've personally been given the support and mentoring I've needed every step of the way. Our break work has turned me into a more inquisitive, engaged and leadership-minded nurse (who finally knows how to use Excel!)

18. Empowerment Christy- Participated in training and implementation
for Structured Interdisciplinary Bedside Rounding (SIBR)
“I was given the opportunity to observe and coach providers
and nurses, while collecting feedback to give to the SIBR group
as to what was working, and what could be improved upon.”  
I worked on and off on the SIBR project for several years and iterations.  Working side by side with both providers and my nurse colleagues created an even stronger sense of collaboration and level playing field.  I felt that the input from nursing – our voices- really could make
a difference not just for us nurses, but also the providers and ultimately our patients. And the work continues every day, with nurses involved in rounds, contributing to the plan of care each day for our patients.

19. Empowerment
Chantelle-Developed an Intensity Index to facilitate load-leveling
of patient assignments.
“Participating in research and evidence based practice initiatives
has made me appreciate the power that data can give nurses.
My experiences have made me feel like I have a seat at the
head table of leadership at UWMC (as a bedside RN), and I can 
influence my work environment.”

20. Keys to Success Engage nurse managers Simple projects for quick wins
Align projects with strategic plan/staff passion
Organizational
Needs
Your Passion
Your Project

21. Keys to Success Identify experts to assist with study/project design
Provide centralized funding

22. Power

23. Discussion